Breaking My Leg in Korea Pt. 2
Once I decided that I was going to stay in Korea to have surgery, I had a million questions running through my head. How am I supposed to communicate with the nurses? Am I going to like the food? How am I supposed to take care of myself? I knew next to no Korean going into the program and I couldn’t have a translator with me most of the time. All these questions were very daunting to me.
I had finished going through the admittance process at the hospital with my translator, he wheeled me to the elevator, patting my shoulder and telling me that everything was going to be all right. I gripped the bag I brought, which only had my phone and wallet because I had packed with hopes that maybe I merely had a bad sprain. We made it to the eighth floor after a long, silent elevator ride. This is where my room would be for the next two and a half weeks.
So, I don’t know if it was just me, but I assumed I would either have my own room or share with one other person. That is what I had grown up with and was always used to. You can only imagine my reaction when I was wheeled into a small room with six beds. Yes, you read that correctly. I was going to be sharing a room with five Korean women. Not to mention, I had to share a two-toilet bathroom with the whole floor, with only one being handicap accessible. Also, the menu for every meal included rice, seaweed, tofu, kimchi, and maybe some meat.
As I rolled into the room, I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, and this had my anxiety spiking. How was I supposed to live in this room for two and a half weeks? As I struggled to climb into my hospital bed, my translator was talking to the other women in my room. I heard my name come up multiple times, and I hoped my roommates would like me. The lady in the bed across from me gave me a huge smile, putting some of my nerves at ease. Little did I know, the ladies in that room would be a key component to surviving the two weeks. They helped feed me and reminded me to take my medicine. They really looked out for me even though we couldn’t verbally communicate well. I did learn the value of nonverbal communication though.
Saying that the surgery was daunting is a gross understatement. I had never had a major surgery. While I laid on the operation table, I was so afraid, but there were a couple things that helped me get through it. One was obviously the anesthetic, but before I was given any they put probes all over my chest. I had no clothes on under my gown so I was a bit self-conscious. Who am I kidding? I was extremely self-conscious, but to my surprise, all of the male nurses turned away while my shirt was unbuttoned. It gave me a sense of security because they sort of valued my body, so I knew they were going to take care of my leg.
After the surgery, it was a waiting game. I had two weeks until I was discharged, so I spent most of it like any young adult in today’s age: on my phone. I was lucky to have Wi-Fi in my room, even though I did have to watch the same ‘Ocean World’ theme park ad every fifteen minutes. (Today, seven months later, I can still hear the song from the ad in my head.) I also read and studied some Korean, but it was hard to do it by myself without another English speaker. Speaking of speakers, I did have a translator come every two days or so to help me understand what was going on. I also had a group of 6 or 7 people from the program visit me a couple times. It’s amazing how fast you can form friendships in a different country.
During the two weeks, I faced so many discouraging thoughts, but in the end, I am glad I decided to stay in South Korea for my surgery. I was able to learn some Korean and learn about Korean culture through a very hands-on experience. I made some close friends and now have strong determination to work hard so that I may go back, with both legs intact, and see what Korea has to offer. At least I can say I have a souvenir with me always in the form of a metal plate, five pins, and three screws.
Don’t let anything hold you back from travelling where you want to go, whether it be fears or predispositions. Enjoy the world as it is given to you and work hard to achieve what you want. It’s never too late.
I had finished going through the admittance process at the hospital with my translator, he wheeled me to the elevator, patting my shoulder and telling me that everything was going to be all right. I gripped the bag I brought, which only had my phone and wallet because I had packed with hopes that maybe I merely had a bad sprain. We made it to the eighth floor after a long, silent elevator ride. This is where my room would be for the next two and a half weeks.
 |
| The view from the 5th floor. |
 |
| Some of my roommates for the last week. |
 |
| This was right before I was wheeled off to surgery. |
After the surgery, it was a waiting game. I had two weeks until I was discharged, so I spent most of it like any young adult in today’s age: on my phone. I was lucky to have Wi-Fi in my room, even though I did have to watch the same ‘Ocean World’ theme park ad every fifteen minutes. (Today, seven months later, I can still hear the song from the ad in my head.) I also read and studied some Korean, but it was hard to do it by myself without another English speaker. Speaking of speakers, I did have a translator come every two days or so to help me understand what was going on. I also had a group of 6 or 7 people from the program visit me a couple times. It’s amazing how fast you can form friendships in a different country.
During the two weeks, I faced so many discouraging thoughts, but in the end, I am glad I decided to stay in South Korea for my surgery. I was able to learn some Korean and learn about Korean culture through a very hands-on experience. I made some close friends and now have strong determination to work hard so that I may go back, with both legs intact, and see what Korea has to offer. At least I can say I have a souvenir with me always in the form of a metal plate, five pins, and three screws.
Don’t let anything hold you back from travelling where you want to go, whether it be fears or predispositions. Enjoy the world as it is given to you and work hard to achieve what you want. It’s never too late.
Comments
Post a Comment